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Thursday, April 4, 2013

"Auburn found a way to make those dudes eligible."

Trooper Taylor, weather forecaster

It's tradition. And I'm not only referring to Auburn here. Selena Roberts' story on Mike McNeil and Auburn's most recent shenanigans sheds an ugly, albeit one-sided, light on the WarTiglesmen underbelly. The allegations are severe, no question. But I'll refrain from pointing fingers wait until the dust clears up a bit for two reasons.

One. We've seen a smoking gun on the Plains before and nothing was done. Everyone already knows that Cam Newton and the 2010 titles were purchased. Which is why this news smells like a former player trying to bully the bully that bullied him. Maybe a second whiff will bring an even worse odor. It is Auburn after all. Cheating in Opelika is their oldest tradition now that Updyke has killed the trees.

Two. A lot of what's alleged is stuff that takes place in every nook and cranny of the NCAA's boundaries. Maybe Auburn has perfected the culture of it. Maybe McNeil wasn't given his due rights as a citizen because of his status as a football player. But it's big time football. The fact that it happens in lots of places doesn't make it right and it doesn't excuse this instance. But...it happens.

So where do we go from here? You mean other than watching the Auburn alumni squirm? Well, apparently there's another part of the story Roberts is working on focusing on the Auburn boosters. Joy. Raise your hand if you've heard that story before. Other than that I think the telling part may be to watch the relationship between Chizik and ESPN. The former Auburn coach who is implicated in the allegations has since become an analyst for the mothership. So far there's no comment from either. But we know that ESPN likes to let the real investigative journalism happen and then react to it. The direction in which they react may be a significant development.

Until then, how about another $money$ quote from the story.

“Chizik didn’t like anyone who didn’t fit a certain image.”

That's why Trooper Taylor used a backwards facing ballcap to cover up his dreads and HIGH Lyfe cranial tattoo. Wonder what else he was covering up?

Bernie's Dawg Blawg is not affiliated with the University of Georgia or any other institution or organization. It's use is meant solely for your utter boredom as well as a complement to your working knowledge of all things DAWG.